New Lampizator Level 4/ Version 4 DAC in the house

Hi,
Right now I own PWD II and Bridge. A friend has a L3.5 I believe it sounds great. But I'm considering switching to Lampizator possibly a L5 set up. Any one compared this to L4 or Big Six? Any thought would be appreciated before I possibly switch. Also any comparisons to PWD II would be great as well. I'll be using it in a system featuring Coda amps and preamp with Legacy Aeris or the new Helix when it is available.
Thanks in advance.

I've been talking with Gopher. I'm a friend of Jim Yorkshire and have heard his many times. Surely Glory, Agear, or Grannyring have some thoughts or experiences.
Thanks in advance.

Thanks all for the feedback.
Glory, you commented on another post about some reservations about build quality and the DACs needing some help from Ming Su? Is this still a problem?

Ok, Sorry don't know all the abbreviations or terms so I have questions.

1. By L5 chipset in a Big 6 box do you mean put put the dual box L5 in a Single big six box ok why? What is the advantage of single big box and 2 small boxes?

2. I was going to get DSD is that the DSD128?

3. What is the difference between output tubes ECC 182 and others?

4. Definitely getting dueland caps.

5. What is the difference in 5Y3 rectifier and stock?

If I'm going to spend money I want it all tricked out. I'm thinking of the Sonore Rendu instead of Lampiator transport any thoughts?

Anyone have misgivings about spending vast sums of $$$$ with a small company in a foreign country that could close at any time leaving buyers with unserviceable, dead end, unsaleable, equipment?

Thanks, Steven

I was wondering how the bass in Lamp 5 or 4 sounds compared to solid state DACs. Sometimes tube bass is noted for sounding round and full without the detail, slam, and complete control of detail that solid state DACs can provide.

I do know in this era the two solid state and tubes tend to sound more similar than the past.

Just putting this out there for those with experience.

Hi,
Thanks for all your answers. Jim brought his DAC and transport over this weekend. It was really great hearing it in my system. Needless to say I'm now a committed Lamp fan! It provided all my system was lacking. My system sounded like music for the first time. I had gone to see Diana Krall at the Fox here in St. Louis. Fabulous concert by the way. If you like her CDs she is better in person.
I came home that night and listened to my system with the PWD II. It sounded very good I thought. Then came Jim with his Lampy. At first listen it was hard to tell the difference but after about an hour things really started to warm up and Diana was in the room. With the PWD the sound was there and it was like a black and white photo, well defined nothing missing and sharp details.
Then the Lampy, the sound simply became music and instead of black and white Diana was there in 3d Color. Fun to listen to and I might say highly addictive.
After Jim left, (he was kind enough to leave Lampy there over night) another friend and I listened till well after midnight. We couldn't get enough.
Now Jim lives in Illinois across the Missouri and Mississippi from me. I texted him,"That during the night the rivers had both flooded and so it might be a month or two before I could return his beloved DAC and Transport."
He texted back, "That was ok he'd buy a boat and come get it!"

Glory,
Not on a fishing trip. I fish not for Glory but Giant Blue Cats only!
Thanks for the cable tips but there is not a bass problem in my system with the Lamp or PWD. It is amazing how good the Signal Cable really sounds. I was just concerned about tube bass vs solid state but no concerns now.

I'm ordering a Level 5 and Transport right away.
Thanks for now and thanks Jim,
Steven

Hi,
While not an expert I do have first hand experience with the TranspOrt which is really a streamer built on the bones of a Squeezebox Duet. (Go to the Lampizator.eu site and read about and see how it is made.) Yes it is technically only capable of what you say above. But, it in reality does much more. In short the thing sounds incredible. What it does to Redbook negates any need for hi Rez offerings, (have not heard DSD yet) I have tried it with a Lampizator 4 DAC, a Theta Gen 5a, and the PS Audio PWD II with Bridge, in each case, the Lampizator transformed the sound to a bigger, bolder, more realistic sound than before. Can't wait for mine to be delivered.

So is the TranspOrt worth buying or should I just stick with a PC or MM solution with my Level 5?

I'm very undecided on this. I've heard the TranspOrt with a Level 3.5 it sounded very fine. But I've never heard USB via Zuma PC, laptop, or MM?
I'm not a big Squeezebox fan.

My experiences with streaming audio has been PS Audio PWD II and Bridge via laptop connected with CAT 7 Ethernet to my WHS. The PWD is good but not a Lampizator.

Agear,
How do I get hold of Rob Reich?
Thanks,
Steven

Hifial,
I believe you are destined to be a fan boy! I'm a Lampi convert!
My friend Jim has been espousing the merits of his Level 4 (now for sale here as he's updating). I listened many times. We have the same speakers(Legacy Focus SEs). I owned the PWD II DAC. I thought our systems were very comparable until I brought my PWD over and placed it in his system. We let it warm up for two days before listening. Then the eye opening began. I thought my PWD II had died during transport. Jim's sound was very flat and uninvolving. I made every adjustment I could think of. Nothing helped. Then we wired in the Lampizator. Suddenly there was music in the room.
The next day, still disbelieving I brought the PWD back home and listened, hmmm it sounded pretty close or so I thought.
Jim then agreed to loan me his Lampy for the night and brought it over. After a couple hours of warm up, the Lampy started strutting her stuff. The next thing I knew it was 2:00 am and we were still listening.
My Level 5 with DSD will hopefully be delivered this week.

I can't wait.

It's good to hear great tidings from the RAVE.
I'll be glad to update my experiences to this thread as well.
Sgr.

Yes, Jim is the best.
Oh, I still think about the decision. Did I really hear what I heard? Was I imagining things. Luckily another great friend, Wayne, was there until the wee hours and he remembers the same things.

A wide, deep, and spacious soundstage with well defined accurate imaging. This was seductive in itself. But the best part was the overall musicality. While listening one could here details and resonances in both voices and instruments that before I'd not heard or noticed. The brush strokes of instruments were just right. And prat, I found myself tapping along to the music on my iPad many times without being aware I was doing this. We listened to such musical talents as Mahler, Sinatra, Scott Joplin, Louis and Ella, and the Decembrists, (plus everything in between) the DAC did everything with utter aplomb and believability.

And for you all wondering about the TranspOrt, well rest assured it is a key part of the sound. While the Level 4 DAC and TranspOrt were in my home we disconnected the two and plugged the TranspOrt into the PWD II. Could it cause the PWD to sound even better than the PWD II and Bridge? Oh YEAH , the PWD II never sounded better.

So maybe I could save some money and just buy a Lampizator Transport and use it with the PWD II? Well to my pocket book's dismay, when if plugged the L TranspOrt into the L DAC magical things started happening again. Nothing like a Lampizator DAC and TranspOrt!

For you PWD II fans, (and I still am a big fan of the PWD II and Bridge and may still keep them for a second system!) while the Bridge can and does sound great here is at least one other combination that makes the PWD II sound even better. Of course the Lampy stuff does cost more when comparing new to new, but there are several used Lampizator DACs available here on the Gon that don't cost as much as a new PWD II and sound incredibly better I might add.

When and if the guys from Stereophile, the Absolute Sound, or even HP himself, get one of the Lampizator combos in their hands be prepared for a SOTA review.

I will be glad to share my experiences and setups with the Lampizator duo as soon they arrive and are energized.
Steven

Hi,
Wired with CAT7 cable.